A message regarding Ukraine

Dear Skidmore Community,

The Russian invasion of Ukraine this week is alarming and heartbreaking. This attack has shattered peace in Europe, risks a humanitarian crisis of historic proportions, and will have far-reaching impacts regionally and globally.

Skidmore College is unequivocally committed to our mission of creating an informed, responsible citizenry, ranging from our most local commitments to our roles as global citizens. We are committed to fostering an awareness of, and responsibility towards, peace and justice. We stand with all democratic institutions in rejecting this act of aggression on a sovereign nation.  

To voice our principles of global responsibility and come together to better understand and respond to the grievous situation in Ukraine, faculty members from the departments of political science and history will be holding a panel discussion tentatively entitled "Russia's Invasion of Ukraine: Causes and Global Implications" on Thursday, March 3 at 5:30 p.m. We will share additional information about the event, including how to join in-person or virtually, by early next week. I am grateful to Professors Emmanuel Balogun, Yelena Biberman-Ocakli, Jennifer Delton, Kate Graney, and Feryaz Ocakli for their willingness to share their expertise and offer a platform for such discourse.  

I also want to acknowledge the concern and pain the situation in Ukraine may be creating across our community. The College will hold a vigil this upcoming week with details to follow soon. For those looking for a place on campus to pause for reflection, Wilson Chapel is open to students, staff, and faculty from 2 – 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday. As always, the Counseling Center and the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life are available resources as well.  

This is our Skidmore, a community that cares. I know we all appreciate the imperative of showing one another compassion and understanding as we cope with the implications of the situation in Ukraine and strive to live up to our commitment to education in service to the freedom of ideas and human dignity.                

Sincerely,

Marc Conner
President